Indonesia condemns Ankara bombing

Bambang Nurbianto

The Jakarta Post

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Mon, March 21, 2016 / 09:36 pm

Relatives of people wounded in an explosion in Ankara, Turkey, react as they arrive at a hospital to see their loved ones, late Sunday, March 13. The explosion is believed to have been caused by a car bomb that went off close to a crowded bus station. (Depo Photos via AP/Osmancan Gurdogan)

The Indonesian government has condemned the bombing in the Kizilay district in the center of Ankara, Turkey's capital city, on Sunday.

As reported at 11 p.m. local time the suicide car bomb had killed at least 34 people and wounded 125 others, with two of the dead believed to be the assailants.

"The people and government of Indonesian offer sympathy and deep condolences to the Turkish people and government, particularly to the victims and victims' families," the Foreign Ministry's statement read as reported by Antara news agency.

At the time of writing the Indonesian Embassy in Ankara had yet to release any information regarding Indonesians as being among the victims of the bombing, the third in the city in the last five months.

However, the embassy is still coordinating with related parties in the country to stay abreast of new information.

On Sunday, a suicide car bomb went off near a crowded bus station on Ankara's main boulevard. An outlaw rebel Kurdish militant group, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) is believed to have carried out the attack, according to The Associated Press.

The attack came only three weeks after a Feb. 17 suicide bombing, also in the capital, which particularly targeted military personnel. The PKK later claimed responsibility for the attack that resulted in the deaths of 29 people.

There are currently 1,553 Indonesians living in Turkey, most being professional workers or students.

Indonesia's Ankara Embassy has called Indonesians in Turkey to stay calm and vigilant, as well as avoid crowded places that are potential targets of terrorist attacks.

Indonesians living in Turkey who require information can call the hotline at the Ankara embassy at +905321352298 and +905338120760. (afr/bbn)